Les Rendez-vous de l'Histoire

2026 Edition: 'The Merchants'

From October 7 to 11, 2026, Blois hosts the 29th edition of Les Rendez-vous de l'Histoire, dedicated to the theme 'The Merchants'. From Antiquity to the contemporary era, the festival examines the figure of the merchant and trader: exchanges and trade routes, fairs and markets, power and money relations, social and cultural transformations induced by commerce.

As every year, the festival offers over 600 debates and conferences bringing together more than 1,000 speakers — historians, researchers, writers, filmmakers, and key witnesses — a history book fair with 150 publishers and 300 authors for signings at the Halle aux Grains, a film series of about sixty films, historical cafés and dinners, exhibitions, concerts, and an educational program for schools.

The detailed day-by-day program (conferences, speakers, schedules) is usually published by the organizer at the start of the academic year, as the festival approaches.

• 29th edition, October 7-11, 2026 in Blois
• 2026 Theme: 'The Merchants'
• Over 1,000 speakers and 600 conferences and debates
• History book fair: 150 publishers, 300 authors for signings
• Film series of about sixty films
• Free access to most events